X3 Rear Fog Lights

[cdm5go]

Has anyone successfully added rear fog lights to their X3? I have seen the X5, E39, E90, and E60 posts, but I havent seen anyone with an X3 post this before. I want to add the rear fog lights to my 2005 X3.

[rebound]

I'm not sure those are legal.

I'd check first.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by rebound

I'm not sure those are legal.

I'd check first.

Yes they are. Audis and Mercedes have them, along with many Land Rovers, Volvos, and other European brands.

I too would like to know if it's possible, but seeing that it's near impossible on the facelifted E46, kinda gave up on finding a worthwhile solution.

[simoncpw]

My 2005 X3 comes with the rear fog light as standard (but it's one-sided only and it looks pretty weired when switched on, looks like the bulb for the other side is blown!). So it should be technically possible to add it in if it is not fitted already.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by simoncpw

My 2005 X3 comes with the rear fog light as standard (but it's one-sided only and it looks pretty weired when switched on, looks like the bulb for the other side is blown!). So it should be technically possible to add it in if it is not fitted already.

We'd need to buy a Euro-spec light switch and LCM at the very least.

[JuuKoo]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

We'd need to buy a Euro-spec light switch and LCM at the very least.

Yes, this is true....official way is to buy EU type of LCM (you can not program LCM) and change the light switch.

Second and cheap way to do this is that you can just install one additional relay, take the signal from front fog lights to that relay and install the rear fog light without buying expensive EU type of LCM and new switch. Of course you would need "stand-alone" light switch in this case.

I installed rear fog light (without changing LCM) to my US X3, as well as, Euro type of front turn signals and front park lights. This kind of rear fog light mod is relatively easy, it cost about 20 euros....and some timeJ

Best Regards,

Jukka

ps. The reason I installed turn signals, rear fog lights and parking light is that I registered that US X3 model to Finland (Europe).

[d-rive]

i have like "standard" both rear fog lights. Weird, they are halogens, not ordinary(21w) bulbs.

[simoncpw]

Originally Posted by d-rive

i have like "standard" both rear fog lights. Weird, they are halogens, not ordinary(21w) bulbs.

Really? That IS weird! Must be a cheap way for the stealer hear to cut cost.

[cdm5go]

I was able to add rear fog lights to my US Spec 2006 325i simply by adding the euro spec headlight switch (with the rear foglight switch) It uses the lights for the adaptive rear brake lights when switched on. So there is no adaptive function when rear foglights are on. That was all I had to do. I wonder if the x3 with adaptive brakelights is similar? Does anybody know? maybe we won't need an LCM. Does the e90 have an LCM? Forgive me if I sound naive, but electrical engineering is not my thing.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by cdm5go

I was able to add rear fog lights to my US Spec 2006 325i simply by adding the euro spec headlight switch (with the rear foglight switch) It uses the lights for the adaptive rear brake lights when switched on. So there is no adaptive function when rear foglights are on. That was all I had to do. I wonder if the x3 with adaptive brakelights is similar? Does anybody know? maybe we won't need an LCM. Does the e90 have an LCM? Forgive me if I sound naive, but electrical engineering is not my thing.

All BMWs have an LCM. That's the light control module.......without it the light switches wouldn't work properly.

The reason your trick above works on an E90 (i know of this trick too) is because the lights are already installed and work as the adaptive brake lights. On the X3, this is not the case. The adaptive brake lights under the "C-shaped" light that normally works as the brake light. It's documented in your owner's manual. However, the rear foglights are on the round lights on trunklid itself. Thus, they are seperate from the adaptive brake lights.